3 Answers

First off, you should know what a critique exactly is. A critique is the careful analysis of a published work, such as a book, poem, article or theory. You analyze the work and give your opinion about what makes it good or bad.

Read up on what makes a good critic so that you know how to approach writing. There are certain qualities that the best critics pinpoint from the beginning. For instance, the best movie critics have checklists of the elements they look out for.

As for the advice for writing a book critique, I can only suggest you gain a complete understanding of the work before you write your opinion. Remember, a big part of writing well is reading well.

A critique looks like an essay, but it is shorter, less factual and more opinionated. This paper is set up in a format that includes an intro, a body of text and the conclusion. It usually does not include bulleted points, charts or images. It consists of words that state how one person feels about a literary piece of work.

You must write the critique in a formal way of speaking. You cannot use too many colloquialisms or make references that few people understand. The way you discuss a book to your friends is not the way you discuss it in formal writing. Use complete sentences, include details and remain courteous to the writer.

Examples are the most important parts of written critiques. For people who have not read the book, include examples or snippets to help them understand your interpretation. For instance, if you want to talk about certain characteristics of Hamlet, such as his courage or cleverness, include scenes to prove your point. The more examples you include, without giving away the spoilers, the more illustrated your writing becomes.

Although complete in itself, a critique is not a long essay – so make it both concise and detailed. Start by listing everything you have learned about the work you are critiquing. Note the main ideas, themes and people along with the introduction and conclusion. Then, take note of everything you love and hate about the work. Start by creating a draft, which would save you a lot of thinking time.